Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette says he was touched by his team-mates' emotional response to him scoring against Newcastle, which ended a barren run in front of goal since early December.

Lacazette's finish was not his cleanest strike, as he actually kicked the ball with his right foot against his left foot before it flew past Martin Dubravka in the Magpies goal.

The former Lyon man sprinted towards the corner flag and slid on his knees as he was immediately surrounded by his ecstatic team-mates.

“I am really, really happy because I waited for this moment for a long time," said Arsenal striker Lacazette.


"It was really hard and complicated, because sometimes I had some games with no chances, sometimes I missed or the goalkeeper saved it. Of course for a striker it is always hard to not score, but it happens in football. Hopefully it is the last time for me.”

"He [Mikel Arteta] talked with me to give me confidence," he added. "As well I worked more with the second coach, so there is some stuff we do to be better on this occasion."

Nicolas Pepe's influential display helped extend the Gunners' unbeaten run to six matches and was further evidence that the winger is finally adjusting to life in the Premier League.

"I used to say we need to be patient with him," said Lacazette. "He is still young, he came from another league and it is always different.

"The Premier League is the hardest league in the world I think, so you have to be nice with new players like him."

Fellow Frenchman Matteo Guendouzi, meanwhile, was left out of the squad altogether after a huge bust up with boss Mikel Arteta during the club's winter break in Dubai.